Denise Grover Swank, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised there until she was nineteen years old. She then became a roving wanderer, spending ten years living in five cities, four states, and ten dwellings before returning to her roots. She speaks English, Spanish, and a smattering of Chinese, which she picked up during a Nick Jr immersion session. Her hobbies include making funny Facebook comments (in her own thinking) and dancing with her kids in the kitchen. (Very horribly, if her progeny are to be believed.) Her hidden skills include the gift of rationalization and the ability to consume large amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep in under two minutes.

Her lack of a sense of smell permits her to carry out a variety of unimaginable jobs. She is the mother of six children and has maintained her sanity. Or at least that's what she wants you to believe.